28 January 1999
TEXT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OF EU COUNCIL TO MILOSEVIC
(Condemns Racak massacre, urges FRY to work with KVM) (880)
Brussels -- Joschka Fischer, the president of the Council of the European Union, wrote to "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) President Slobodan Milosevic January 20 to protest the massacre at Racak and call for an independent investigation.
"We expect you to comply fully with the requirement of UNSCRs 1160, 1199, 1203 and 1207 with respect to cooperation with the ICTY [International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]," Fischer told Milosevic. Fischer also called for the FRY's full cooperation with the Kosovo Verification Mission, and for Milosevic to "work constructively with the EU and the Contact Group's efforts to arrange face-to-face negotiations with the Kosovo Albanian leadership with direct international involvement in the near future."
Fischer is German vice chancellor and minister of foreign affairs. His letter to Milosevic was published on the web site of the Council of the European Union.
Following is the text of the letter:
(Begin text)
KOSOVO: LETTER BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU, FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER, TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC
The following letter, written by the President of the Council of the European Union, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, to President Milosevic of the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was handed over to the Belgrade authorities in the evening of 20 January 1999.
"To the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mr. Slobodan Milosevic Belgrade
Dear Mr. President,
I am writing to you on behalf of the European Union to set out our position on the shocking events in Kosovo.
The massacre at Racak is unacceptable and has been publicly condemned by the European Union and other members of the International Community. Such atrocities rightly occasion a widespread feeling of revulsion. While such atrocities occur, it is inconceivable that there will be any improvement in relations between the FRY and Europe.
We know that there is fault too on the Kosovo Albanian side. We are in no doubt that the UCK too have breached the cease-fire, and are seeking to provoke your security forces. But that is no excuse whatsoever for mass killings of the kind carried out at Racak.
We are aware of your government's claim that those killed were members of the UCK. But that runs counter to the consistent reports we have heard from KVM verifiers, and in any event would under no circumstances justify the executions of 45 unarmed individuals, including women and children, by the security forces. The pressing need is for independent investigation. We expect you to comply fully with the requirement of UNSCRs 1160, 1199, 1203 and 1207 with respect to cooperation with the ICTY.
The decision to expel Ambassador Walker is equally unacceptable. The KVM has played a valuable role in reducing tensions in the region. It is simply wrong to suggest that KVM staff have not acted in an even-handed manner. As you know well, the KVM was instrumental in securing the release of members of the FRY security forces held hostage by the UCK. Your lack of cooperation with KVM is seriously undermining the prospects of achieving a negotiated political settlement acceptable to both sides.
We expect you to take the following immediate steps:
-- rescind the decision to declare KVM Chief of Mission William Walker persona non grata;
-- ensure full compliance with the terms of the OSCE/FRY and NATO/FRY agreements, and all relevant Security Council Resolutions;
-- co-operate fully with KVM and ensure security of KVM staff;
-- co-operate fully with the ICTY investigation of the Racak incident, in particular allowing the Chief Prosecutor Mrs. Arbour access to and freedom of movement in Kosovo, and similarly allow to the EU forensic mission to play its part in the investigation.
-- ensure that those responsible for the Racak massacre are brought to justice.
The names of those who participated in the killing and those under whose authority they acted must be immediately handed over to the ICTY.
-- suspend the officers of the army and police units operating in Racak on 15 January while the murders are investigated;
-- work constructively with the EU and the Contact Group's efforts to arrange face-to-face negotiations with the Kosovo Albanian leadership with direct international involvement in the near future.
The EU remains determined to work towards a durable negotiated settlement on Kosovo, together with other members of the international community and the parties concerned. Its assistance programmes and its contribution to KDOM and KVM show that the EU is ready to underpin its words with deeds. A peaceful solution to the Kosovo problem is necessary and urgent for the sake of peace and stability in Europe. It would also pave the way for progress towards more normal relations between the EU and the FRY -- a development we all want to see. Continued violence and defiance of the international community in Kosovo will merely deepen your isolation and lead to further measures by the international community.
Yours faithfully,
(signed) Fischer
The associated countries Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, the associated country Cyprus and the EFTA countries members of the European Economic Area Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this declaration.
(End text)
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